What massage therapy means to me.

Massage therapy has become somewhat of a mainstream natural health practice in the past few years with the help of large chains that offer memberships for a monthly massage. Even before the rise in popularity, therapeutic massage found it's way into my life.
After years of dealing with intense anxiety, and feeling unraveled emotionally, I began a healing journey, becoming a massage therapist. It wasn't just to help others through the difficulties in life but also to help myself and grow me up into a balanced person.
​It is an honor to do this type of work, and I feel like it was my destiny to become a holistic health provider. The perfect fit. A way to integrate my scattered self and become whole.
Massage therapy opened me up to a better understanding of how my mind and body work together and how, when using massage as preventative health care, instead of as a pampering treat, I could live a happier, relatively conflict-free life. Life became more relaxed. My emotions and thoughts were less overwhelming. Communication with others was more precise. I use my massage practice to inspire people to take care of the body-mind. The main focus of my work is stress relief, which is something that, for whatever reason, our culture doesn't value much, although everyone seems to want it. I love to create a healing environment for people. It gives my clients a place away from the rest of the busy world, working with people who are burnt out and needing to rejuvenate their lives, dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress-related illness. These are some of my regular clients.
My sessions are quiet and have a focus on healing for that reason. I work with people who need to step away from life and recover from being overwhelmed, lift depression, soothe anxiety, and all the adverse effects of our multitasking, pressured-filled, modern-day lifestyles. Dallas Texas is a big city and we have many stressers here. I love to bring a little magic back to the lives of people who need to feel inspired. Massage therapy has given me many gifts over the years. One of the most significant contributions has been an appreciation for self-care. I never thought about caring for myself before I found massage therapy. I use to do harmful things to my body and mind. I had no clue that I was in control of my mental health and that taking care of my physical AND emotional/spiritual self was important. I loved getting "pampered" at the nail or hair salon, but genuine self-care goes more in-depth than physical attractiveness.
Sometimes when I'm feeling off, I can explore how I'm feeling through meditation practices and often discover that what I'm experiencing is an emotion, thought, or an unhelpful belief lingering. Self-inquiry has brought me a lot of peace. I learn that I can resolve whatever is coming up for me and determine the pain that is showing up in my physical body.
A massage during a time when we need to release emotional or mental pain can be helpful because putting ourselves in a healing environment and allowing our body to rest and can stimulate our brains to process complicated information.
One of the reasons Massage therapy works in this way is It takes us from our hectic, stress-filled lives into a place where our nervous system can switch over to the parasympathetic "rest and digest" response. Rest is when healthy changes can occur in our minds and bodies. Mental clarity and focus are the benefits of regular massage.
It's safe to say that we can't be at our best when we are always in survival mode, frazzled, and living a lifestyle that doesn't allow rest. We are told that it's lazy or that being unproductive is terrible when, in reality, it's a vital part of healing and staying healthy.
Becoming a massage therapist also introduced me to the world of alternative health. One of the ideas of alt. health care is looking at not just the physical but also the mental, spiritual, and emotional parts. I read so many life-changing books searching for more and more on true wellness and what it means to be balanced.
I changed how I felt about myself, and the harmful negative self-talk turned into sweetness. I work on accepting other people and myself, just as they are. It's is a conscious and daily practice. I've developed a more in-depth spiritual knowing through meditation that gives me peace.
Reflecting over the past ten years as a licensed massage therapist gives me a sense of happiness and pride. I'm proud of myself and inspired by everyone I have met and studied under. It's a feeling of being home and centered in my life purpose.

With gratitude!

About the Author:
Hi! I’m Hillary Arrieta and I help people improve their lives by offering holistic solutions to ease stress, eliminate pain, and inspire self care practices. I own The Heeling Hut in Plano, TX. Where I teach workshops, write, and specialize in unique and effective massage and meditation techniques such as Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage and iRest® Yoga Nidra. At The Heeling Hut you'll find the best massage in the Dallas area for pain and stress management. Texas MT 040051